Exactly 1 year ago today, that crown was placed on my head

Exactly one year ago from today at this hour I was anxiously awaiting the moment that I would take the stage with hopes of making my dream of becoming Miss California International a reality. Months of hard work, sweat (literally), anticipation, tears, accomplishments, prayers, and polishing all led up to this day, to this opportunity, and to those 2 hours that us contestants would share the stage;  only one of us would walk away with a crown and an opportunity to continue on the journey to becoming Miss International, but all of us would walk away with new friends, more confidence, better public speaking and interview skills, and memories that will last a lifetime. 

My walking away with that crown was nothing short of a gift from God and the beginning of a journey that I'm still so lucky to be on. The Teen and Miss California Int'l pageant directorship is switching hands this year and as a result the pageant was moved to February of 2014. This girl gets to spend a year and a half as Miss California! 

I still wake up everyday with a need to pinch myself to prove that this dream that I'm living is reality. I may not have won that large, over sized crown at the International pageant, but that doesn't one bit discount the amazing work that I've been able to do, and will continue to do as Miss California. So many doors have opened this year for me, particularly with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. I'm proud to report that I am officially a Big Brother's Big Sisters of America celebrity ambassador! 

I hope that I've made California proud this year so far, and I plan to spend the remaining 5 months of my reign working just as hard! 

Day 2, part 2. Group photo and dinner

The evening of night two was reserved for a group photo followed by dinner and the "you don't know my life" speech by none other than the ridiculously positive and motivating Eddie Peterson (previously the Teen, Miss, and Mrs California Int'l director, and after a one-year break he has come back as the director of the Mrs California pageant. Teen and Miss are now in the very capable hands of Crowning Glory Productions, which are ran by the amazing Gushwa family)!

Eddie's speech was about a woman he encountered at Kentucky Fried Chicken many years ago and a powerful statement that she made to the cashier when he questioned her large order: "you don't know my life!" It's true, he didn't know her life, and in Eddie's speech he reminded us that prior to judging someone we should remember that the very person you are judging  is likely masking something that you can't see from the exterior. After his speech there wasn't a dry eye in the room. The international pageant is lucky to have such an inspirational person in their court;  Eddie's message made a significant and profound  impact on many of our lives.

Miss International, day #2. Part one.

Tuesday was my favorite day of my Miss International experience. We started out at the John Hancock Observatory where we took an elevator up 1,030 feet to gain a 360 degree view of Chicago. What a neat experience!
Shortly after we re-boarded our buses and headed to the Lincoln Park Zoo where I was fortunate to have joined a great group of girls for conversation, awesome animal sightings, and tons of photos.

Next was my favorite part; we joined a group of children for lunch at the Boys and Girls club.

I was matched with two intelligent, beautiful, and articulate 6 year old twins and an 11 year-old (going on 20!) little girl who stole my heart. Of course it was fun to take photos with the stunning blond hair, blue eyed identical twins who spoke Russian, but the 11 year old reminded me of why I am so passionate about youth mentoring. At first she was very standoffish and had a tough shell to break through, but once I did I knew that she might be one of the reasons that I was on this journey. A very wise person, and pageant coach, once said to me, "there might be only one person, or one reason, that you were placed in this pageant because of. Perhaps you were meant to touch just one life, but in a very profound way... honor that role!" Maybe SHE was my 'one person'... maybe not, but either way I am confident that her and I shared a meal with conversation that will forever live in my heart as one of the most significant I've ever had. She was wise beyond her years and upon meeting her I got the sense that she viewed us 'pageant girls' as people from a different world, one very far from her own reality. I noticed that she had little interest in joining in on the arts/crafts and conversations that we were set to do prior to our meal. I paid extra attention to her and encouraged her in a soft but insistent manner to let down her guard. In the beginning I told her that we were more alike than she knew but unfortunately I was hardly able to get a word out of her. I asked her if she would like to try my sash on and she refused...which I expected; I would have done the same at her age.  After about 30 minutes of sharing my story with her and encouraging her to do the same, she leaned in an said, "You are pretty cool. Cooler that I thought you would be. Can I have one of those cards with your picture? And will you sign it for me?" Yesssss! A break through! 

Midway through lunch she tugged on my arm and pulled me in to whisper, "I would actually like to try on that sash. Can we take a photo together?" 

The changing point? While chatting I told her that she reminds me of a little girl that I mentor who was her age. I then told her about my mentor and how she taught my that the challenges I was facing while growing up didn't limit the possibilities of what I could do with my future. I explained to her that I am spending my year as Miss CA Int'l spreading that very message to other children. Her face began to light up when she realized that she and I had more in common than she originally anticipated. I didn't get the opportunity to learn what adversities she faced at home, but what I am sure of is that she realized that while I came from a drug infested home I didn't let that stop me from following my dreams. I truly hope thar our conversation offered her hope for her own future. I pray that she is given a mentor, like my own, that changes her perspective, and ultimately her life. She deserves that! As do all the other children currently facing challenges at home. Will you be that person?? If so, please visit BBBS.org to find out how to become a life-changing mentor to someone just like her. I can promise you that it will be one of the most rewarding roles you will ever hold in your life. 

Interview with KEYT news channel 3

On August 11, 2013 I met with Alys Martinez of KEYT news channel 3 to film an interview about my childhood and how it ultimately led me to Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was a pleasure working with Alys and I was excited about the way the interview turned out. It feels so great to have the support of my community! Lucky girl here! If even just one person who saw this interview was influenced to become a Big (mentor), then it was a success! Thank you KEYT!

Here’s a link to the interview:

http://www.keyt.com/news/pageant-winner-raises-awareness-for-local-atrisk-youth/-/17671600/21425690/-/wf3j1sz/-/index.html